Despite a strong economy, about 40 per cent of American families struggled to meet at least one of their basic needs last year, including paying for food, healthcare, housing or utilities.
That’s according to an Urban Institute survey of nearly 7,600 adults that found that the difficulties were most prevalent among adults with lower incomes or health issues. But it also revealed that people from all walks of life were running into similar hardships.
The findings issued Tuesday by the non-profit research organisation highlight the financial strains experienced by many Americans in an otherwise strong economy.
The average unemployment rate for 2017 was 4.4 per cent, a low that followed years of decline. But having a job doesn’t ensure families will be able to meet their basic needs, said Michael Karpman, one of the study’s authors. Among the households with at least one working adult, more than 30 per cent reported hardship.
“Economic growth and low unemployment alone do not ensure everyone can meet their basic needs,” the authors wrote.
Food insecurity was the most common challenge: More than 23 per cent of households struggled to feed their family at some point during the year. That was followed by problems paying a family medical bill, reported by about 18 per cent.
A similar percentage didn’t seek care for a medical need because of the cost.
Additionally, roughly 13 per cent of families missed a utility bill payment at some point during the year. And 10 per cent of families either didn’t pay the full amount of their rent or mortgage, or they paid it late.
While startling data to some, it comes as no surprise to those Americans who are struggling to get by.
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